"My dog has parvovirus, what can I give him?" Without a doubt, this is the most frequently asked question by caregivers of dogs affected by this disease to their veterinarians. Unfortunately, the parvovirus has no cure that fights the virus directly, but the treatment is focused on palliating the symptoms and strengthening the immune system so that it can be the dog itself who fights the disease. For this reason, the mortality rate for this pathology is so high.
However, thanks to early diagnosis, more and more dogs are surviving the parvo virus, so if your dog has parvovirus and you're wondering if it can be saved, know that the The answer is yes, as long as it is caught early and your immune system is strong enough. To reinforce the veterinary treatment, you can use natural remedies that we will explain below. Thus, the home remedies for canine parvovirus that we share on our site should always be a complement.
What is canine parvovirus and what are its symptoms?
Canine parvovirus, also known as canine parvovirus, is a serious infectious disease that is caused by a virus, the parvo virus or canine parvo virus (CPV). It is a very resistant virus, capable of surviving in the environment for up to six months, this being the main reason for its high rate of contagion. It mainly affects puppies, although immunosuppressed adult dogs or unvaccinated dogs are also susceptible to contracting it.
How is canine parvovirus spread?
Parvovirus is transmitted through the oronasal route, that is, by inhaling or ingesting the virus, which is found in the environment or in the feces of infected dogs. Once in the body, the virus reproduces very quickly, first in the tonsils, then it passes into the bloodstream, through which it reaches the lymphatic tissue and the intestine. Likewise, it can affect the kidneys, lungs, liver or heart. Depending on the affected organs, the symptoms developed are one or the other.
Canine Parvovirus Symptoms
As it is a virus that first attacks the lymphatic tissue and the intestine, it is common that, a few days after being infected, the dog presents bloody diarrhea (enteritis) and a state of immunodeficiency, which translates to weakness, decay and general discomfort, due to the decrease in white blood cells. In addition, the following signs may appear:
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Cardiac disorders
- Respiratory problems
- Anorexy
- Exhausted
- Apathy
- Sudden death
In some cases, it has been observed that the virus has been practically asymptomatic, although this is not usually the case.
On the other hand, due to the weakness of the immune system of the dog with parvovirus, it is common for other viruses, bacteria or opportunistic parasites to appear and, therefore, to develop secondary infections, especially in the intestines.
How to cure canine parvovirus?
Canine parvovirus be cured? Yes, canine parvovirus is curable as long as it is detected early and the affected dog responds adequately to treatment. Being a disease discovered recently, specifically in the late 1970s, there is still no definitive cure to combat the virus. In this way, the treatment is focused on treating the symptoms and strengthening the immune system to help the body fight the disease.
Canine parvovirus treatment
As we say, the treatment is aimed at combating dehydration, mainly, which is the main cause of death, as well as in fluid replacement For this, it is best to go to the veterinarian as soon as the first symptoms are detected in order to hospitalize the dog or puppy, in case of confirming the diagnosis of parvovirus, and start treatment based on fluid therapy and, if necessary, blood transfusions
In case of vomiting, it is common to administer antiemetics and antacids to patients. Likewise, if secondary bacterial or viral infections have developed, antibiotics will be administered to combat them.
If the dog responds adequately to the treatment, its immune system will be strengthened and will fight the disease to the point of overcoming it. Of course, it should be noted that, unfortunately, many dogs are unable to overcome the disease because, as we mentioned in the previous section, it usually affects puppies under six months, elderly or immunocompromised dogs.
Canine parvovirus be cured with home remedies?
No, parvovirus in dogs cannot be cured with remedies alone Home remedies should be applied as a complement, since without fluid therapy or blood transfusions, it is impossible to replace the lost fluids and, therefore, the patient's survival is reduced to practically nothing.
As there is no cure for parvovirus, there are also no natural remedies that fight the virus directly. In this way, the remedies that we will share below are designed to relieve symptoms and strengthen the immune system, reinforcing the effects of veterinary treatment and helping to improve the condition clinical.
How to hydrate a dog with parvovirus?
The dehydration that the parvo virus in dogs produces due to fluid loss due to diarrhea and/or vomiting, causes an electrolyte imbalance, which translates into considerable loss of sodium and potassium mainly. Therefore, replenishing these electrolytes (mineral s alts) as soon as possible is one of the keys to curing a dog with parvovirus. Likewise, due to the symptoms developed, there is also a drop in blood glucose that must be repaired.
Under normal conditions, ensuring that the dog drinks enough water will replenish the lost electrolytes, however, when suffering from a disease like this, it is most likely that the animal does not want to drink or eat nothing. So, it is best to ask the vet to provide you with a intravenous backpack to carry out fluid therapy sessions at home. The specialist will indicate the recommended doses and the frequency of administration.
Home remedies to hydrate a dog with parvovirus
If for whatever reason you don't have the opportunity to purchase the backpack serum, you can prepare a homemade serum in order to replenish lost mineral s alts and glucose. It is not the best solution, but it is a home remedy for canine parvovirus applicable to puppies and adults that can help combat dehydration.
The ingredients to make this whey are as follows:
- 1 liter of mineral water
- 1 teaspoon s alt
- 3 spoonfuls of sugar
- half a teaspoon of baking soda
- juice of half a lemon
Once you have the ingredients ready, you must bring the water to a boil and remove it from the heat when it has reached the first boil. Then, pour it into a preferably glass container, never plastic, add the rest of the ingredients and mix. Let it warm up.
The dog must drink this serum, since it is not suitable for intravenous administration. Thus, if he himself does not want to drink, he uses a syringe without a needle, places it in his mouth from one side and, little by little, introduces the liquid. The homemade serum lasts for 24 hours, so it will be necessary to prepare a new one after this time.
Offering a dog or puppy with parvovirus an ice cube, natural ice cream or an isotonic drink can also help keep it hydrated and thus replenish lost electrolytes. Especially when the disease is not very advanced, dogs are more encouraged to take this type of remedy than the previous serum. Even if you decide to try these solutions, try to give him the serum as it is enriched in the lost mineral s alts.
Another way to hydrate a dog with parvovirus is through food, but we will talk about this in the next section.
My dog has parvovirus and doesn't want to eat, what do I do?
As soon as the virus begins to reproduce and, therefore, the dog shows the first symptoms, the most common thing is that it stops eating, due to the general discomfort it feels and vomiting. Veterinarians usually recommend not giving food during the first 24-48 hours, since this is when the virus causes the most damage, especially in the digestive system. Once this stage is over, an adequate diet can be started, progressively so as not to damage the intestinal mucosa.
Cases of patients who have successfully overcome the disease have shown that dogs affected by the parvo virus that eat food experience a much faster recovery of the damaged intestinal mucosa. For this reason, along with hydration, food is the best home remedy for canine parvovirus Now, what kind of food is recommended?
Diet for dogs with parvovirus
To help the dog fight the disease, it is advisable to establish a soft diet, easily digestible, low in protein and fat. So, if you're wondering what to give a dog with parvovirus, the following is recommended:
- Homemade chicken broth, well strained. Not only will this keep it nourished, but it will also hydrate it.
- Cooked Shredded Chicken. Since the dog will be very weak, you may need to give him the food from your hand.
- Boiled white rice. It can be mixed with perfectly cooked chicken.
- Easily digestible vegetables, such as carrots, squash or potatoes.
- Boiled white fish, shredded and, of course, boneless.
After the first 24 hours, you can start giving the dog or puppy with parvovirus chicken broth, with the help of a syringe without a needle in case it does not want to drink on its own. Once the 48 hours have passed, you should start the diet little by little and without forcing the animal too much. If your dog with parvovirus does not want to eat, try giving him the chicken first, which he usually likes a lot, and gradually introduce the rest of the food. Also, veterinary prescription canned food usually works too.
How to feed a dog with parvovirus?
As we say, little by little. It is much better to take several feedings a day but in small amounts than the other way around. As the animal improves, the number of meals can be reduced and their quantity increased.
If despite all attempts your dog with parvovirus does not want to eat, it will be essential to go to the veterinarian to administer parenteral nutrition, that is, intravenously.
Other home remedies for parvovirus in dogs
In addition to replenishing lost fluids and ensuring that the dog eats after the most critical hours, other remedies can be used to combat the infection, both that caused by the parvo virus and those caused by the caused by viruses or opportunistic bacteria.
Colloidal silver for dogs with parvovirus
Colloidal silver is characterized by being a natural antiseptic, so it helps fight any type of infection caused by viruses or bacteria. We emphasize again that it is not the definitive solution, it is a remedy that must be administered to complement the veterinary treatment.
Its liquid version can be given undiluted or diluted in water. As for the dose of colloidal silver, it will depend on the age of the dog, its weight and the concentration or level of purity of the product. For this reason, the best thing to do, as always, is to consult the veterinarian so as not to administer the wrong dose, which could be fatal for the animal.
Apple cider vinegar for dogs with parvovirus
This type of vinegar is also a powerful natural antiseptic, so it is commonly used to combat viral, bacterial or fungal infections. It can be diluted in water and administered to the sick dog with the help of a syringe or let him try to drink on his own.
In addition to being good for infections, apple cider vinegar helps to restore the damage produced in the digestive system, something totally recommended for cases of canine parvovirus. See all the benefits of apple cider vinegar for dogs in this article.
Aromatherapy for dogs with parvovirus
Aromatherapy is not a remedy for parvovirus in dogs itself, but it does promote a more relaxed and calm environment for the animal. When any disease of this level is present, it is essential that the patient is as comfortable and calm as possible to keep their immune system strong. A state of stress or anxiety caused by inadequate space will only aggravate the situation. For this reason, resorting to aromatherapy can be a good option, as long as we guarantee that the essential oils are not ingested by the animal or are not very close. Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell, so feeling too strong an aroma does not give them peace of mind.
Likewise, a comfortable bed and, above all, keep the dog warm will increase its state of comfort and make it feel better.
Love and patience
Finally, we finish the list of home remedies for parvovirus in puppies or adult dogs with the most basic, love and patience. Not all dogs recover equally quickly, so it is vital to be patient and follow veterinary treatment to the letter, which can be supplemented with remedies described here. In the event of any abnormality or warning sign, do not hesitate to see a specialist, since parvovirus is a serious disease that must be treated.
